Leading Formula 3 outfit Hitech Racing will start the 2006 Lloyds TSB Insurance British F3 International Series at Oulton Park next week (April 15-17) in a positive mood following a successful test programme over the winter months. The Silverstone-based team, led by team owner David Hayle, is in only it’s fourth season in the country’s premier single-seater championship and this season has its strongest ever driver line-up.

The three drivers all have a variety of previous experience, which belies their youth. Driving the number 5 car will be Mexican star, Salvador Duran who steps up to the International class following his superb championship-winning 2005 in which he won nine races. The 20 year-old won the two A1GP races at Laguna Seca recently prior to topping the testing times at Donington Park two weeks ago.

Next up, in car number 6, is BRDC McLaren Autosport Young Driver finalist and BRDC Rising Star James Jakes. The Yorkshire man burst onto the racing scene aged just 14 years old in T Cars before embarking on two years in the hotly contested Formula Renault Championship, where he finished third last season. Jakes posted the quickest time in testing last time out on a wet Cheshire track.

Completing the line-up will be the young Jerseyman James Walker (Car no 15) who has already lifted the victors spoils in Formula 3 and rejoins the team he last drove for in 2004. Now based in Oxford, the 22 year-old BRDC Rising Star is certain to be among the front runners right from the start following a superb performance in pre-season testing which culminated in the quickest time in the dry morning session at Oulton.

All three drivers will race the Mercedes-powered Dallara F306 cars and all three have acclimatised well to the new package. Team owner David Hayles is understandably delighted with the results and the performance of his three drivers. “Basically in testing we’ve achieved what we set out to achieve. Even when there was no official timing, I felt confident that all our drivers were on the pace. In the last two sessions, at Donington and Oulton, all three topped the times in the three sessions, you cannot ask for more than that. The Mercedes engine is good, fast and strong and I hope that the package we have this season is going to set us up well for a successful 2006.”